Researchers from the St. Petersburg Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences found that the oxidative stress leading to human cell aging is characterized by a decrease in potassium ion content, which may be used as a marker of premature cell aging in the future. The accumulation of senescent cells promotes the overall aging of the body and the development of various diseases, including cancer. Therefore, scientists hope to know which phenomena may indicate cell senescence. Irina Malahova, the chief researcher of the Intracellular Signal Laboratory of the Institute of Cytology, said that they applied oxidative stress to human cells that led to premature aging, and then learned how aging affected the content and transport of intracellular cations, namely potassium and sodium, through these cells. These cations make cells energetic and participate in regulating various cellular functions. Malahova said that the research found that during the aging process, the ion gradient of normal cells remained unchanged (the potassium content in cells was higher than that in the surrounding environment, while the sodium content was lower than that in the surrounding environment), but the potassium content in aging cells decreased, indicating that the water content in cells decreased during the aging process (cell dehydration). Intracellular potassium content and other indicators can be used as certain markers to determine whether cells are premature aging and dehydration. Researchers point out that not only normal cells, but also cancer cells will suffer from premature aging. Next, we should study whether the changes in the ionic composition of malignant cells can be used as a tool to reduce the growth rate of tumors. (Outlook New Times)